Lakewood Youth Council Builds Tradition of Service and Strengthens Community Voices

The Lakewood Youth Council brought a lot of enthusiasm to this month’s Lakewood Multicultural Coalition Community Service Awards Gala. Members welcomed guests, showed people to their tables, and managed the coat check. This is their second year volunteering at the event, and many Youth Council members say the gala has quickly become a favorite tradition they look forward to every year.

The Lakewood Youth Council is still helping shape important community conversations. Recently, they hosted local leaders and partners, such as Elder Larry Woods, Lua Pritchard from the Asia Pacific Cultural Center, and members of the Black Collective. The Youth Council helped lead discussions about future MLK Day and Black History Month events. Their involvement shows a strong commitment to youth voices, working across generations, and making sure these celebrations stay engaging, inclusive, and meaningful for everyone.

Lakewood’s Free Community Cleanup is Next Weekend

Bring trash, junk and recyclables to the Lakewood Transfer Station for the city’s Spring Community Cleanup! This event is free for Lakewood residents only. A utility bill or ID is required to show proof of residence.

When:

• Saturday, March 28 & Sunday, March 29
• 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., both days
• Last vehicle admitted at 1:45 p.m. each day

Participants should be prepared to:

• Wear proper footwear.
• Back up a steep ramp
• Unload all items yourself
• Bag all loose items

Visit the event page to learn about on-site rules including what items are accepted.

Mayor Bocchi’s Community Coffeehouse: April 1 at The Pavilion

Lakewood residents are invited to Mayor Bocchi’s Community Coffeehouse on Wednesday, April 1, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. at The Pavilion at Fort Steilacoom Park.

Join Mayor Bocchi and guests for a presentation on the Lakewood Parks Legacy Plan. City leaders will talk about what they learned from community outreach and survey results as they work to update the plan. The Legacy Plan explains the City’s parks, open spaces, and recreation system, and it guides elected officials, City staff, community members, and anyone interested in our parks and open spaces.

We will have light snacks and refreshments.

The event takes place at The Pavilion at Fort Steilacoom Park, 9107 Angle Lane. Look for the tan building with an outdoor stage near the barns. We’ll meet inside the climate-controlled facility. Parking is available but limited next to the building, and more parking is nearby.

We hope you’ll join us for a conversation and a chance to connect with neighbors and City leaders in April.

Save the Date: Lakewood Youth Council Empowerment Summit

• When: Saturday, April 18, 2026
• Time: 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
• Theme: You Are Going to Be Okay!
• Format: Choose Your Own Adventure
• Location: Pierce College Lakewood Campus Cascade Bldg. 4^th Floor
• Who should come: Students in grades 7-11
• Transportation: Free Pierce County Bus transportation on a dedicated route put together just for this event.

Save the flyer, scan the QR code or visit our event webpage for more information: https://cityoflakewood.us/youth-summit/

Celebrate With Us: Grand Opening of the Newly Renovated Wards Lake Park

The grand opening is an exciting milestone, a tribute to the Lakewood community, and a showcase of the amenities now available to explore. After years of planning, restoration, and community-driven investment, Wards Lake Park has become a vibrant, accessible, and adventure-ready destination for all ages. Join your neighbors for an afternoon of fun, free, and low-cost activities!

Event Details

• Saturday, April 25, 2026
• 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• 2716 84th St Ct S, Lakewood, WA 98499

Save the flyer, scan the QR code or visit our event webpage for more information: https://cityoflakewood.us/wards-grand-opening/

Join Your Friends and Neighbors for Parks Appreciation Day

This is a great opportunity to volunteer with neighbors and friends to help clean up select Lakewood parks and prepare them for the upcoming spring and summer season.

• Date: Saturday, April 25
• Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12noon p.m.

Save the flyer, scan the QR code or visit our event webpage for more information: https://cityoflakewood.us/parks-appreciation/

Keeping Lakewood Healthy: Spongy Moth Eradication Efforts Planned for the Spring

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) continues planning for proposed spongy moth treatments in Lakewood this spring.

Residents and businesses near proposed treatment areas should be on the lookout for a postcard in their mailbox. Residents can visit WSDA’s 2026 eradication webpage to view maps and search if they are in, near, or outside of a proposed treatment area. Residents can also sign up to receive treatment alerts by call or text.

The area will be treated with Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki, or Btk, a naturally occurring soil bacteria commonly used in organic agriculture and gardens for caterpillar control with an excellent safety record for bees, birds, fish, pets, and people.

WSDA released a short overview video of the proposed spongy moth treatment plans. Please watch and share it online with your community.

Community Partner Events and Happenings

Upcoming City Hall and Community Engagement Events

The Lakewood Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meets Tuesday, March 24 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. Tentative agenda topics include updates on city special events, Parks Appreciation Day, Wards Lake Park Opening celebration and the city’s Volunteer program. Attend in person or online: https://cityoflakewood.us/parks-and-recreation-advisory-board/

Notice of Public Comment: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan

The City of Lakewood has released a draft Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan for its public rights-of-way. The draft is available on the city’s project website.

The Planning Commission is scheduled to review the draft on April 1, 2026, with a public hearing on April 15, 2026, followed by a recommendation to the City Council. City Council review is expected on May 11, 2026, with possible adoption on June 1, 2026. Planning Commission and Council meetings are open for virtual or in-person attendance.

For the latest schedule, please visit the project website. We welcome your feedback on the draft plan. Submit comments to Weston Ott, City Engineer, at [email protected] or 253.983-7725.

Council Corner

The City Council met on Monday, March 16 for a Regular Meeting. You can watch or listen to the meeting below.

What’s on Deck: The City Council meets Monday, April 6, for a Regular Meeting at 7:00 p.m. Tentative agenda items include:

• Proclamation recognizing Parks Appreciation Day – Jason Gerwen, Chair, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
• Proclamation recognizing April 13-17, 2026 as Black Wellness Week – Keith Blocker and Christina Blocker, Elevate Black Wellness
• Youth Council Report
• Authorizing the execution of a grant agreement with Washington State Military Department, in the amount of $50,009, for the Emergency Management Performance Grant
• Ordinance enacting an additional sales and use tax of one-tenth of one percent, as authorized in section 201, Chapter 350, Laws of Washington 2025, for criminal justice purposes; creating a new section to Lakewood Municipal Code, Title 3 Revenue and Finance, Chapter 3.90 One-Tenth of One Percent Public Safety Sales Tax; and providing for severability and establishing an effective date
• Ordinance amending Lakewood Municipal Code Chapter 5.60 related to Rental Housing Licensing

How to Attend: 

• In person at Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main Street SW
• Virtually via Zoom (or dial 253-215-8782 and enter meeting ID: 868 7263 2373), or
• Watch live on the city’s YouTube channel

Police Chief’s Corner

Each week Lakewood Police Chief Patrick D. Smith shares a summary of total calls for service for the prior week. The intent of the summary is to show a snapshot of how the department works to keep the community safe.

Weekly stats will be available next Friday.

Road Project Updates

Updates for the week of March 19 – 26, 2026

Finishing up Construction

Steilacoom Boulevard, Weller to 87th Ave: Final utility relocation is scheduled for next week. All contract work is complete except for three locations needing additional concrete. After relocation, the contractor will schedule the final concrete pours.

South Tacoma Way, 88th to north city limits: Demolition of the remaining signal infrastructure is complete. The contractor will schedule final concrete pours and begin cleanup activities next week, weather permitting.

Interlaaken/112th/Idlewild: Striping will be completed when weather allows. To prevent damage from tracking plastic striping material, the roadway will be closed during this work. The material sets in approximately 30 to 40 minutes at current temperatures.

Active Closures

Nyanza Rd Improvements: Irrigation is installed in the roundabout’s circulating island.Restoration behind the sidewalk and mailbox installation are complete. The base lift of asphalt is in place. The contractor will return to complete the top lift once weather and temperatures allow. Afterward, a few days will be needed to adjust utility castings.

Nyanza Road remains closed to through traffic. Localized flooding may occur until the top lift of asphalt is placed. The contractor will address punch list items during inclement weather. Residents are encouraged to use caution when driving through the work zone.

112th St SW, Gravelly Lake Drive to Bridgeport Way: Restoration behind the completed sidewalk at the east end is ongoing.The contractor is grading the roadway for curb, sidewalk, and paving. Curbs and sidewalks will be poured as weather permits.

Upcoming Construction

Wadsworth/Silcox/Boat Sewer Extension: Construction of the new sewer system is scheduled to begin in June 2026. Full closures of these local access streets will be required.

Grant Ave/Orchard Sewer Extension: The contractor is scheduled to begin work on Grant Ave on April 6, 2026. Grant and Orchard will be fully closed to through traffic during construction.

112th Street, Farwest to Holden: Work is scheduled to begin June 11, after the Clover Park School District 2025-26 school year ends. Most traffic-impacting construction will be completed during summer break.

Custer Road, Bridgeport to 75th: This project will begin August 1 and require approximately 60 days of full closure for pavement removal, utility installation, road widening, curbs, sidewalks, and paving. Striping will be completed under a separate closure in October. A detour via Bridgeport Way and 75th will be in place during construction.

112th, South Tacoma Way to Steele Street: Resurfacing is scheduled for early summer 2026. Most work will require full nighttime closures of 112th Street for about one week.

Visit the capital projects webpage for more information. You can also report an issue through the MyLakewood311 app.

Parks and Recreation Updates

Park Maintenance Updates

• Restrooms at American Lake Park are back open after repairs due to vandalism/theft.
• Graffiti at Kiwanis Park in skate park was covered. 
• Damaged sod was removed at Oakbrook Park, and the park was reseeded and fertilized after turf was tossed by racoons looking for grubs! This has happened throughout the city this year.
• A new sand digger toy was re-installed at Wards Lake Park after being mischievously removed since the park reopened after construction.  It is replaced so children can enjoy the park as intended.
• Dumpsters were set at Harry Todd and American lake for the season.
• Mowing has begun

Senior Center St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

Pot of Gold Glam St. Patrick’s Day Party was on Friday, March 13. Even though winter weather made an appearance, everyone enjoyed our green-and-gold celebration. There was extra sparkle, new friendships, tasty treats, and plenty of fun for all.